The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-05

termlna points at edcn emu connect Win
water transportation, they might, and no
doubt would, be benefited by the provisions
Of the proposed measure. This proposition,
however, is strenuously denied by the friends
Of the bill, and judicial action would be re-
quired to determine which opinion is the cor
rect one. If the courts should hold that a
mainline railroad, with both terminal points
in single State, does not come under the
provisions Of the bill, then the law would GER
tainly work great hardship to the east and
west roads of Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, such
roads being, for the most part if not
entirely, under long leases and part
nership contracts. For instance: the
Terre Haute road, being part of the Pennsyl-
| vania system, would be an interstate road and
| subject to the restrictions Of this bill. There
| appears to be in the minds of those who have
investigated the provisions Of the pending
bill very general apprehension that mer-
chants, manufacturers grain dealers stock
raisers and shippers generally in interior towns
and Cities like Cincinnati, Louisville, Indian
apolis, Logansport, Richmond and Terre
Haute would be placed at great disadvantage
when competing with lake points, like Chica-
60, Cleveland, Detroit and Toledo. There is
no doubt whatever that this would be the eff
feet upon goods and manufactured articles
that require rehandling for sale and distribu-
| ton, and for articles Of manufacture in
which raw material has to be worked in, in
whole or in part.
The bill prohibits all pooling. 1t is by no
means clear that the pooling Of freight and
the people than it is for the benefit of the rail-
roads, or that it is not for the benefit of both
people and the roads. It is not the pooling Of
rates that works to the injury Of the shipper,
but the methods and rates that may be estab-
lished by the pool. The remedy for the evils
of the pool is not by abolishing the pool, but by
regulating and controlling it in the interest of
the shipper. and with justice to the carriers.
AS we have stated, there is no agreement
amongst shippers looking from their stand
point or of railroad men looking from theirs,
as to what the effect of the proposed law will
be. This uncertainty is one of the greatest
evils to be feared from the passage of a law
the construction of which depends upon
commission appointed by politicians and from
politicians; for, no matter whether the commits
sion be Republican or Democratic-and by the
j, law the commission will consist of both-tht
members will be appointed for their politica
influence, rather than for their knowledge O
, real or imaginary evils that exist, or becaus
of their knowledge of the best and safes
methods whereby to correct the one or to dis
sipate the other
Trade and commerce, and business of al
kinds, after long period OF depression, ar
beginning to look up; better times are il
o sight, and everything should be done t.
hasten the good times coming. 1t is tin
worst policy possible to inject into bushes
methods any element that would create con
o fusion, doubt or uncertainty. Congress ha
= begun at the wrong end Of the business. /
. would be very much better to create com
q mission to be composed and selected. at leas
in part. by and from the various business in
f terests of the country consisting of a reas
" enable number Of members from the best-in
f formed, most intelligent and fair-minde
- merchants, manufacturers, railroad managers
o stock raisers and general shippers, to prepar
and draft bill to attain the end desired
O which shall be submitted to and be passe
!. upon by Congress after intelligent considers
70 ton, rather than to pass the pending bill an
# submit it to the Interpretation and construt
% ton of commission appointed by and throug
10 political methods. The country wants int
4 ligent legislation on this subject, rather tina
4 experimental attempts to control the con
,f mercial relations of the people with eac
&c other